Broken Bonds

The forest surrounding Konoha was illuminated by the evening light as Kakashi returned after an exhausting mission. His heart raced with anticipation at the thought of reuniting with Naruto and Sasuke, the two young ones he had adopted alongside Iruka. As he walked through familiar streets, he reflected on the changes in his life since they formed that peculiar family.

The connection with Iruka, his partner and co-parent of the children, was something Kakashi had taken for granted. However, on the path of life and destiny, shadows of doubt began to darken his thoughts. Was it really love he felt for Iruka? Soon, reality revealed itself unexpectedly.

Kakashi realized that no, he didn't truly love Iruka, but he also didn't know how to break up with him. He felt many contradictory things. For him, it was an obligation to take care of Sasuke and Naruto; he owed too much to Obito and Minato to leave the children alone. However, if he were honest with himself, he longed for the freedom of a life without responsibilities and without Iruka. He loved them, yes, but no in a way that all three deserved.

Although it wasn't all pain for him because another ninja had captured his heart: Yamato. Kakashi found himself in love with the serenity and strength emanating from Yamato, something he had not experienced before.

He couldn't resist how that pale, scarred skin felt under him. Those moans were an addiction he didn't regret becoming addicted to. He also didn't mind deceiving and lying to Iruka about Yamato.

Although that didn't prevent tensions from growing between Kakashi and Iruka, each argument marked by the shadow of Yamato. Iruka demanded that Kakashi stay away from his "best friend," unaware that this friendship had evolved into something more.

But when he saw the village entrance, he felt that something had happened, something in his chest preventing him from relaxing. He couldn't wait to see Yamato, but that also meant seeing Iruka.

"Kakashi!" said one of the ninjas guarding the gate.

"Kakashi-san! Thank all the gods you've returned. Something has happened with Naruto and Sasuke, Kakashi-san, and it's urgent that you go to the hospital. Tsunade-sama is waiting for you."

The anguish was reflected in Kakashi's face; he didn't know what was happening, so he quickly headed to the hospital. Was there an attack? How badly were they injured?

He had never rushed to the hospital so quickly, so he was a bit surprised when, upon entering, he saw a nurse waiting for his arrival.

"Oh, Kakashi-san, we were waiting for you. Tsunade-sama is waiting for you in Sasuke's room; she'll explain everything there. Follow me."

The silver-haired ninja didn't know what to think, and many thoughts raced through his mind. Why in Sasuke's room? How were Naruto and Iruka? What exactly had happened?

Upon arrival, he saw the child wrapped in bandages and had to stifle a sob, feeling anxious. And Naruto? And Iruka? Was Yamato also attacked?

"Kakashi, I have to say that I truly am sorry. We couldn't do more, Kakashi."

The ninja just stared at Tsunade; what did she mean they couldn't do more?

"Tsunade-sama, I just returned from my mission, and they only gave me the news that I had to get to the hospital quickly. I know nothing, and I don't understand anything. Was there an attack on my family? Are Naruto and Iruka okay? What's happening? I need answers, Tsunade-sama."

"You're right, Kakashi. But first, you have to know that I regret everything and I feel profound sadness al well. No—Oh, Kami-sama, Kakashi, it's very hard to say this."

Kakashi had never seen his Hokage holding back sobs like he was witnessing now. Her hand was on her mouth, trying to swallow the tears, while her face showed all the pain as she tried to control the contortions in an attempt to cry.

"I... Oh, Kakashi. Tell me one thing. Were you cheating on Iruka with Yamato?"

"W-what does that have to do with all this?"

"Answer, Kakashi."

Looking at the Hokage's serious face, Kakashi had no choice but to tell the truth.

"I... Yes, Tsunade-sama. But I don't understand the importance of that."

But soon, he felt his blood run cold. Had Yamato done something in revenge? He knew about the children and Iruka, why wouldn't he let go? Kakashi thought Yamato understood, comprehended what was happening, and so he stifled a sob.

"Tsunade-sama, did Yamato do this to Sasuke? And I really want to know where Naruto is, damn it!"

"No, Kakashi, Yamato had nothing to do with this, he just needed confirmation. But if you want to know what happened, Kakashi, it's that Iruka had a fit of rage and jealousy. He—"

"Damn it, Kakashi! Why didn't you end things with Iruka earlier? Damn. This isn't your fault, but it could have been avoided."

Sobbing, the woman wiped tears from her face as she looked directly at Kakashi.

"Kakashi, Iruka is the one who injured Sasuke and killed Naruto."

And so, the world of the last Hatake heir transformed into a dark tunnel. What did it mean that Iruka had killed Naruto? But he loved that child! Hatred consumed him. He saw Sasuke asleep in the hospital bed, and the tunnel felt like it was narrowing every time he looked at the boy.

"Where is Iruka?" he said coldly. Iruka deserved nothing more than his hatred and contempt.

"He's confined to T&I, Kakashi. Although you won't try anything, do you hear me? We don't need you to kill him; we need you to stay here to take care of Sasuke. The chances are that the child won't fully recover from the attack. At the moment, we don't even know if Sasuke will wake up from this."

Kakashi felt like there was water in his ears. He had only been gone for six days; he couldn't believe that everything had fallen apart in less than a week.

"What exactly happened, Tsunade-sama? Why might Sasuke not wake up?"

"Kakashi, this is not the place to talk about how the attack happened. We—"

"Why the hell isn't it the place? I come back from my mission, and I get the damn news that I'm needed in the hospital!"

Holding back the sob, Kakashi continued speaking.

"And what do I see when I arrive? Sasuke damnably bandaged and the possibility that he won't wake up! Damn! Shit! I—

"Kakashi, I swear, I promise you here and now that we will try everything possible for Sasuke, but the attack affected fundamental brain areas for mobility. We don't know how it will affect him in the future, but Kakashi, you won't be alone in this, and neither will Sasuke."

But Kakashi knew that everything was already ruined, and he didn't know if he would have the capacity to take care of Sasuke. In the first place, did he even want to be in charge of him, or was he doing it out of an obligation he had imposed on himself? And he knew the answer to that; he had always known. Although with time, he did come to love him, along with Naruto. He couldn't imagine his life without them and Yamato, but now there was a void that would be impossible to fill.

What he needed now was to talk to Iruka and understand all of this and know why he did it. And with that, Kakashi slowly left the hospital towards T&I. He didn't know if he would return; he just knew he had to talk to Iruka.

Upon arriving at T&I, he saw Ibiki as if he were waiting for him at the entrance.

"I'm not really surprised to see you here, Kakashi-san. I imagine you've come to see Iruka."

"I don't need to socialize with anyone here, Ibiki-san. I just need to talk to Iruka. Where is he?"

Looking directly into Kakashi's eyes, Ibiki got up from the seat he was in and asked Kakashi to follow him.

"Come with me, Kakashi; you'll have some ANBU with you. We can't allow you to try to murder our prisoner, even if he deserves it, do you hear me?"

Kakashi just nodded. The lump in his throat pressed even more on his chest, and he felt his stomach turn when they stopped in front of a metal door. Was this where Iruka was?

Iruka was sitting on the floor, with shackles on his hands and feet. He looked dirty and tired, as if he hadn't slept in days. If Kakashi didn't know what had happened before, he would have run to help Iruka, but now he could only see that they had been too lenient with him.

"Iruka."

The man with dark hair lifted his face, and Kakashi could see the madness in those eyes. He didn't know how he hadn't noticed before; now it was so obvious.

"Iruka, Iruka. What have you done?"

Iruka's eyes widened as he tried to reach Kakashi, but the shackles prevented him.

"Kakashi, I did what I had to do. I love you, you know? I love you!"

"I couldn't bear to see you slipping away from me. I didn't know what to do to have you just for myself until I realized that you only stayed with me for the children."

As he spoke, Kakashi saw madness oozing from every pore of Iruka. The obsession he had for the supposed love he felt.

"I, Kakashi, I love you. I love you so much that I couldn't go on without you. But I saw how all the love you should feel for me was going to Naruto and Sasuke, those damn selfish ones. I thought that if I got rid of them, you would come back to me, and it happened, don't you see? That's why you're here, right? You're here to rescue me so we can be together again."

"You just have to forget about Yamato, and it'll be you and me again, Kakashi."

"Iruka! I don't know what tales you're telling yourself, but it's not like that. You killed Naruto, Iruka. I can't be with you after that."

"But I did it for you, Kakashi! When I took the hammer, I knew I was doing the right thing. I loved them too, but then I saw how those damn egoists were taking you away from me."

"Do you know what I did? I took the hammer and hit Naruto first. He was in the dining room eating a sandwich when I hit his head. He was surprised, you know? He tried to run away, but I grabbed his legs and I prevented him from leaving. A force took over me, and with all I could, I hit him and hit him until he stopped moving and crying. I had never seen a head grind like that. It's fascinating how blood can come out of something so small."

"After Naruto, I just had to continue and kill Sasuke, so I went up to the second floor where he was resting and woke him up with a blow to the legs with my hammer. He woke up with a scream and tried to run, but I wasn't going to let him go either. I hit his back, and he fell face down on the floor. I tried to kill him in the same way as Naruto, but he wouldn't let me; he kept screaming and screaming for me to leave him alone. But I couldn't; I had to remove him from our lives."

"But it all ended when an ANBU attacked me, Kakashi, and the next thing I knew, I ended up here, waiting for you to come and free me because I know that now you love me as you did before because the kids are not here anymore, and you don't need to see Yamato ever again."

Kakashi couldn't believe what he was hearing. A wave of anger, pain, and hatred overcame him. He didn't realize he had raised his hand to attack Iruka when the ANBU in the room stopped his action.

Leaving Iruka to speak alone, he left the room only to collapse and cry like he hadn't in years. He cried for everything he had lost—his children, his home.

Only Yamato remained, likely on a mission. But that wouldn't be enough either. How to move on when everything you love is gone? He knew, and he did the only thing he could do now: go to the hospital.

He couldn't stay with Yamato. He didn't feel he had the capacity to be with someone at this moment. He only had the strength for Sasuke.

He returned to the room now with Sasuke alone in the hospital bed and promised to take care of him for the rest of his life. It no longer mattered if he had to give up being a ninja; Kakashi knew he would stay with Sasuke for as long as necessary.

He didn't know what the future held—whether Sasuke would survive, walk again, or have psychological scars. The only thing he knew was that he would stay with him until he couldn't anymore.

End.